Team

Jason Paguio

Jason Paguio is ABASD’s new President & CEO, taking the position in April 2019. Jason is an experienced executive in the private, nonprofit and public sectors. A business owner for over a decade, Jason is the founder of a small manufacturing/assembly company, consulting and management firm and co-founded multiple local nonprofit organizations. In the public sector, Jason served as the Land Use Policy Advisor at the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors and is former Chief of Staff to the Deputy Mayor of the region’s second largest city. A member of the United Stated Coast Guard Auxiliary, he serves as Communications Staff Officer at San Diego Harbor (114-01-01).

Jason’s involvement in many boards, commissions, and committees spans from the region’s philanthropic community, civic and business centered institutions, to arts and education based organizations. His current civic commitments include Board of Directors, NTC Foundation (Arts District Liberty Station); Board of Directors, Asian Pacific American Coalition, San Diego; Commissioner, City of Coronado Transportation Commission.

San Diego Metro Magazine awarded Jason one of San Diego’s “40 Under 40”, the San Diego Business Journal awarded him a “Most Admired CEO” Finalist, “San Diego’s Next Top Business Leaders Under 40”, winner of the “Emerging Generation: 25 in their 20s”, "Outstanding Business Advocate" by the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce, "Rising Star Award" by Philippine American Business Improvement & Development, and is a past member of the San Diego Public Leadership Institute.

Recreationally, Jason is a competitive drum major worldwide. He is a 5-time World Champion Drum Major and is the first person from outside the United Kingdom in over 100 years to win the World Championships in Scotland. Jason has performed and taught in South Africa, Japan, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and throughout the United States, representing the 6-time World Champion Simon Fraser University Pipe Band of British Columbia.

Wesley Quach

Wesley Quach serves as the ABASD Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Director and full-time Business Advisor and Programs Manager. As part of the SBDC Network, Wesley provides no-cost consultation to small business owners and entrepreneurs, helping them start, grow and expand.

Prior to joining Asian Business Association, Wesley served as the Manager of the Convoy District Partnership, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that aims to revitalize and transform the pan-Asian Convoy Street area of San Diego. Working with small businesses, community organizations, and local government, Wesley was instrumental in establishing the Convoy Street Micro-Business Improvement District. Wesley has successfully advocated on behalf of the community in regards to land use issues, public safety, parking & transportation, and the current Kearny Mesa Community Plan update process. Wesley was previously a founding board member of the non-profit who stepped into the role of Manager in 2016.

In 2013, Wesley co-founded the San Diego Night Market, the largest Asian cultural event in San Diego inspired by the bustling night markets in Asia, showcasing the city and region’s Asian cuisine and culture. Due to the overwhelming success of the San Diego Night Market, Wesley and his team moved the event to SDCCU Stadium in 2019 to accommodate the thousands of attendees.

As Managing Director of Ansir Innovation Center from 2011 to 2016, Wesley worked closely with early-stage technology startups by connecting them to mentors, funding opportunities, and other resources. During this time, Wesley was also highly involved with the non-profit Startup Weekend and organized several weekend-long educational startup events throughout the city.

Wesley previously served on the founding board of the Asian Pacific American Coalition from 2011 to 2016 and was key in the organization’s initial goals of forming an Asian Pacific Islander influenced City Council District in 2013, as well as leading subsequent Get Out the Vote efforts to empower San Diego’s API community.

Wesley is currently serving on the board of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, the oldest API non-profit organization in the county. Wesley manages the Association’s San Diego Lucky Lion Dancers, a volunteer-based traditional Southern Chinese lion dance group.

In 2018, Wesley co-founded Popo Bros LLC, a small food service business specializing in Asian-inspired fruit teas and desserts.

Wesley received his B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis in management and entrepreneurship from California State University San Marcos and also holds certificates in Project Management and Geographic Information Systems.

Paige DeSagun

Paige DeSagun is the ABASD Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Administrative Coordinator. In her role, she serves as a liaison providing support for small business owners and entrepreneurs to receive no-cost consultation and educational workshops.

As someone who understands the needs of ABASD’s clients and members, Paige is of Chinese and Filipino descent and owner and operator of Paige's Pocket, an online clothing business she started in 2012.

In her spare time, she is a Social Media Manager and "influencer" with over 33,000 followers on Instagram and is onthe leadership team and event planner for Communion Church in the Clairemont/Kearny Mesa area. Paige is a Mother of two to Carter and Mason.

Rozanna Salacup Zane

A proud Filipina-Mexican-American, Rozanna serves as ABASD's Office Manager and provides business and development support to members. Rozanna organizes ABASD's signature events; the Annual Scholarship and Awards Gala, A Taste of Asia and Lunar New Year Celebration.

Throughout San Diego County, Rozanna has represented some of the region's largest business/industry advocacy associations and nonprofit organizations.

Rozanna resides in the community of Rancho Penasquitos with her husband and three children.

Lauren Garces

From the island of Oahu, Lauren is ABASD's Marketing, Outreach and Events Manager. In addition to her role with ABASD, Lauren provides event production throughout San Diego County with a focus on community empowerment. A leader in the API community, she serves as President of the National Association of Asian American Professionals - San Diego and is a recipient of the Rising Star Award from the Asian Pacific American Coalition. Most recently, she served as the Vice President/ Creative Director of Silk Road Productions; one of the leading, award-winning event production companies in Southern California.

Her event production passion and engagements are dedicated to providing platforms and connections for diverse communities and cultures to be highlighted, bridged, and empowered. A few of the signature projects she has worked on include: Filipino Sun Festival, Kinda Kamayan, Linda Vista Multi-Cultural Fair, Asian Cultural Festival, San Diego Night Market, San Diego Ramen Festival, Asian Pacific Islander Festival Day at the San Diego County Fair, San Diego Padres Filipino Heritage Night, Seaworld Lunar New Year, and Convoy Nights.

Previously, she was the Director of Andres Bonifacio Samahan Community Outreach and Political Education (ABSCOPE), Chairperson of Andres Bonifacio Samahan, and the Marketing Director of the Youth Mentorship Program.

Lauren received a B.S. in Business Administration Marketing from San Diego State University.

Jessica Javier

Jessica Javier joined ABASD SBDC as a Business Advisor to provide specialty business advising for COVID-19 assistance and support.

Jessica is a San Diego native and has been a co-owner and operator of KMF CrossFit located in Lemon Grove since 2017. While balancing business ownership she also works alongside Generational Wealth to help families and small business owners financially. Jessica is now putting forward her small business ownership and professional financial planning experience at ABASD SBDC to help small businesses.

Jessica studied Business Administration at Grossmont College and Business Information Systems at San Diego State University.

ABASD is part of the San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network. The network serves entrepreneurs and small businesses with low to no-cost services to support business growth.

Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S Small Business Administration and Wells Fargo Foundation.

Funded in part through a Grant with the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.

ABASD believes in building sustainable communities through inclusive economic development and a qualified diverse workforce. ABASD accomplishes this through educational workshops, technical assistance, business mentorship, advocacy and access to capital to Asian Pacific Islander owned small businesses throughout San Diego County.

Funding generously provided in part by the County of San Diego and the City of San Diego.